Oral Administration of Zolpidem Tartrate in an Abuse-deterrent Formulation Versus an Immediate Release Formulation in Beagle Dogs

Objective: The continuing rise of prescription drug abuse has greatly necessitated the development of an abuse-deterrent formulation. Geopolymers are a promising base for drug design as they allow for tuneable drug release and possess superior physical and chemical properties compared with conventional pharmaceutical excipients.Methods: Geopolymer pellets containing zolpidem tartrate were administrated orally to beagle dogs as a controlled-release formulation with the commercial immediate-release product, Stilnoct® tablets, as the control.Results: The administration of zolpidem tartrate as immediate-release tablets demonstrated an elevated immediate release plasma profile and the zolpidem tartrate in the geopolymers demonstrated a controlled-release plasma profile. The pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that immediate-release tablet administration generated much higher plasma concentration when compared with geopolymer pellets administration for zolpidem tartrate. On the other hand, the geopolymer formulation prolonged the time of drug release.Conclusion: Oral administration of zolpidem tartrate in geopolymer pellets demonstrated a controlled-release plasma profile.